Spurs end road skid, beat Hawks 97-90

By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
| 6:38 p.m.April 5, 2011

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, left, greets teammate Joe Johnson before the Hawks hosted the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at in Atlanta. Smith has sweliing in his right knee and was unable to play. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, left, greets teammate Joe Johnson before the Hawks hosted the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at in Atlanta. Smith has sweliing in his right knee and was unable to play. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, of France, competes for a loose ball with Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, in the first half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)— AP

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San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, of France, competes for a loose ball with Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, in the first half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, left, drives into San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)— AP

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Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, left, drives into San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams goes to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, of France, in the first half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)— AP

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Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams goes to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, of France, in the first half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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ATLANTA 
Tony Parker scored 26 points and San Antonio moved closer to home-court advantage in the playoffs by ending a four-game road losing streak with a 97-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

Manu Ginobili had 18 points and Tim Duncan had 17 for the Spurs, who had been 0-6 on the road against Eastern Conference teams which have clinched playoff berths.

The Spurs began the night 2 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

San Antonio ended a six-game losing streak with Sunday's home win over Phoenix. The Spurs took a more important step toward home-court advantage through the Western Conference playoffs by taking their first road win in almost three weeks.

Joe Johnson had 21 points and Jamal Crawford had 20 for the Hawks.

The Hawks were short-handed on their front line. Forward Josh Smith had swelling in his right knee and was not in uniform. Center Jason Collins did not return after suffering a sprained left ankle late in the first half.

With Smith out, Al Horford moved to forward as Collins started at center before suffering the ankle injury with 3:10 remaining in the first half.

Zaza Pachulia took over at center for the start of the second half.

The Hawks led 42-31 in the second quarter before the Spurs closed the half with a 12-4 run to trail 46-43 at the break. Parker had 10 points in the third period as San Antonio pulled ahead.

San Antonio led 81-79 when Atlanta's Kirk Hinrich was called for a flagrant one foul against Ginobili, who made both free throws to start an 11-3 run.

Notes: F Marvin Williams was given the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy before the game for his community service. The award is named for the late Hawks center who died on Oct. 15, 2005. ... The Spurs' last road win came on March 18 at Dallas. ... C Etan Thomas appeared in only his 10th game as the injuries to Smith and Collins stretched the Hawks' bench. ... The Spurs took a 39-25 advantage in rebounds while outscoring the Hawks 46-36 in the paint.